Three point adirondack chair

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an Adirondack style chair with an improved design that increases stability on uneven ground and increases structural strength by means of a triangular seat support assembly. Specifically, the Adirondack style chairs of the present invention comprise first and second seat members angled toward each other to form a “V” shape where the point of the “V” extends beyond the rear of the chair so as to come together at the point of contact with the ground, a seat section attached to the top of the seat support members, a back support section attached to the seat support members to form an angle generally comfortable for sitting and two vertical first and second front legs attached to each side of the seat support member at the front or side of the chair. The present invention also relates to an Adirondack style loveseat formed by positioning two 3-point Adirondack Chairs next to each other where each chair has been fabricated to remove the abutting armrests, and the abutting front leg member does not extend above the height of the seat section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an Adirondack style chair with animproved design that increases stability on uneven ground and increasesstructural strength.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adirondack chairs are a type of outdoor furniture in which the seatsupport members extend beyond the rear of the chair to the ground,forming the rear legs of the chair. They are also known as Muskokachairs in parts of Canada. An early example is described in U.S. Pat.No. 794,777 to Bunnell.

A present form of the Adirondack or Muskoka chair is described in USPatent No. Des. 109,239 to Wolpin, which includes the contoured seat andcurved back that are typical features of modern Adirondack or Muskokachairs. For many years these chairs were made of wood or plasticsimulated-wood material with the pieces of the chair nailed, glued,bolted, or screwed together to from a single unit. More recently, somehave been molded as a single piece out of plastic. Current Adirondack orMuskoka chairs have four legs or supports, consisting of two front legsthat extend up to support large armrests and two rear supports.Typically, the rear supports are either extension of the seat supportmembers or, in the case of most molded chairs, legs which are angledback from the seat. Adirondack or Muskoka chairs also have an angledback with armrests connected to and helping to support the back of thechair. In many non-molded designs, there are additional supports thatform a triangle between the back of the chair and the rear supports,further reinforcing the structure of the chair. This creates a verysturdy chair that is suitable for outdoor use. However, this chair, likeany other with four legs, does not work well on uneven ground. On rockyor uneven ground it is not usually possible to find a position in whichall four legs will touch the ground. This leaves either an unstablechair that rocks from side to side or a chair that deforms and breaks orwears out at the joints. Thus, there is a need for an Adirondack orMuskoka style chair that will remain stable and structurally sound whenused on rocky or uneven ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This aforementioned need is satisfied by the chair assembly of thepresent invention, which in one embodiment comprises an Adirondack orMuskoka style chair in which the two seat support members are angledtoward each other and extended beyond the rear of the chair so as tocome together at the point of contact with the ground, forming a chairthat is in contact with the ground at only three points. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to an Adirondack Chaircomprised of first and second seat support members angled toward eachother to form a “V” shape and extended beyond the rear of the chair soas to come together at the point of contact with the ground; a seatsection attached to the top of the seat support members, a back sectionattached to the seat support members to form an angle generallycomfortable for sitting (preferably at least 90-degrees); generallyvertical first and second front legs attached to the seat support memberto the front or side of the chair, and horizontal first and secondarmrests connecting the top of the first and second legs with the sideof the back support section. Preferably, the present Adirondack chairfurther comprises a back support post of at least one member thatattaches the back support members to the seat support members at thepoint at which the seat support members come together.

Implementations of the present invention provide a chair with animproved design that increases stability on uneven ground and increasesstructural strength. Preferred embodiments include armrests, mostpreferably horizontal, connecting the top of each front leg with theback section. Another preferred embodiment includes one or two backsupport members connecting the rearward point where the seat supportmembers make contact and the back section.

Another embodiment involves removing the left armrest of one chairassembly and the right armrest of another and abutting them so as toform a loveseat configuration.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description of embodiments thereof and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features,reference is now make to the following description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a chair assemblyof the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the chair assembly in FIG. 1 withthe seat covering members and back covering members removed.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the chair assembly in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the chair assembly in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the chair assembly in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a back view of the chair assembly in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the chair assembly in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the chair assembly in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective view of one embodiment of a loveseatassembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to an Adirondack style chair with animproved design that increases stability on uneven ground and increasesstructural strength. As will be clear from the drawings the thefollowing, the chair utilizes a 3-point leg configuration. Three contactpoint make the present chairs particularly suited to use on rocky orother irregular surfaces.

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout. As used herein, the components designated as“first” or with numerals bearing a “a” suffix are oriented on the leftside of the chair when seated and the components designated as “second”or with numerals bearing a “b” suffix are oriented on the right side ofthe chair when seated

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 8, one embodiment of a chair assembly 100of the present invention is illustrated. A seat section 102 is attachedto a back section 104. First seat support member 106 a and second seatsupport member 106 b are set at an angle to each other and meet at point126. A plurality of horizontal seat covering members 120 extend betweenand may extend beyond the outside edges of the first and second seatsupport members 106 a and 106 b. Flat seat members are contemplated inthe present invention, but can be uncomfortable. In this preferredembodiment, the first seat support member 106 a and second seat supportmember 106 b may be formed with a contoured and beveled top so that theseat covering members 120 define a contoured surface. An additionalcrossbar support 110 may be attached to the inner faces of seat supportmembers 106 a and 106 b which provide additional sideways stability.

A back section 104 is attached to the upper surface of the seat supportmembers 106 a and 106 b in proximity to the seat section 102 and mayconsist of lower back support member 116, upper back support member 118,first side support member 114 a and second side support member 114 b. Aplurality of back covering members 122 extend between and may extendbeyond lower back support member 116 and upper back support member 118.The back covering members 122 are oriented in a generally verticalorientation. Often the vertical orientation is allowed to fan outward atthe top as shown in FIG. 4. There may be an odd or even number of backsupporting members, typically six to eight in total. Gaps are formedbetween the back support members and the most central gap may bepositioned at the center of the chair. As shown in FIG. 5, back supportmembers 122 may taper in width with the wider part at the top of themember. Back support members 122 may be inclined slightly outward, theinclination increasing with the outermost members having the greatestinclination. This may form diagonal elements that increase the sidewaysstability of the back section. As shown in FIG. 2, lower back seatsupport member 116 and upper back seat support member 118 may be formedwith a laterally concave front so that the back covering members 122define a laterally concave surface.

First front leg 108 a and second front leg 108 b are attached to seatsupport members 116 a and 116 b respectively. First front leg 108 a andsecond front leg 108 b may be vertical or may extend to the front orside of the chair. First armrest 124 a is attached to front leg 108 aand may extend beyond the front leg to the front and side of the chair.First armrest 124 a is also attached to first side support member 114 a.First armrest 124 a may be horizontal or inclined and may incorporatesections of extra width to serve as a table. The attachment of thearmrest 124 a may include first front brace 126 a and first rear brace128 a which provide extra support for armrest 124 a. Second armrest 124b is attached to front leg 108 b and may extend beyond the front leg tothe front and side of the chair. Second armrest 124 b is also attachedto second side support member 114 b. Second armrest 124 b may behorizontal or inclined and may incorporate sections of extra width toserve as a table. The attachment of the second armrest 124 b may includesecond front brace 126 b and second rear brace 128 b which may provideextra support for armrest 124 b. Attachments may include front brace 126b and rear brace 128 b to provide extra support for armrest 124 b.

Back support post 112 is attached to upper back support member 118 andto first seat support member 106 a and second seat support member 106 b.Back support post 112 meets seat support members 106 a and 106 b at thepoint 126 at which they come together.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment, in which the back support is achievedwith two back support members 112 a and 112 b, which attach to upperseat support member 118 at different points. Back support posts 112 aand 112 b meet seat support members 106 a and 106 b at the point 126 atwhich they come together.

Back support members 112, 112 a and 112 b are extremely difficult tofabricate for use in a 3-point chair configuration since they requiremultiple compound cut to form the contact abutment.

FIG. 9 shows a loveseat assembly 130 of the present invention. in thisassembly, 3-point chairs are positioned next to each other to form a2-person seat. Removing the abutting armrests, and fabricating the frontleg member such that they do not extend above the height of the seatsection achieves a loveseat configuration. This type of positioning oftwo chairs is not otherwise possible on rocky or irregular surfaces.

The loveseat 130 comprises (a) a first chair section 140 a comprisingfirst and second seat support members, 206 a and 206 b, angled towardeach other to form a “V” shape where the point 226 of the “V” extendsbeyond the rear of the chair so as to come together at the point ofcontact with the ground, a seat section 202 attached to the top of theseat support members 206 a/b, a back section 204 attached to the seatsupport members 206 to form an angle generally comfortable for sitting(preferably greater than or equal to 90 degrees), one vertical left sidefront leg 208 a attached to the side of the seat support member 206 a atthe front or side of the chair and extending above the height of theseat section 220, one vertical right side front leg 208 b attached tothe side of the seat support member 206 b at the front or side of thechair and not extend above the height of the seat section 220; and oneleft side horizontal armrest 224 a connecting the top of the leg 208 awith the first side support member 214 a, and (b) a second chair section140 b comprising first and second seat support members angled towardeach other to form a “V” shape where the point 226 of the “V” extendsbeyond the rear of the chair so as to come together at the point ofcontact with the ground, a seat section 202 attached to the top of theseat support members 206 a/b, a back section 204 a attached to the seatsupport members to form an angle generally comfortable for sitting(preferably greater than or equal to 90-degrees), one vertical rightside front leg 208 b attached to the side of the seat support member 206b at the front or side of the chair and extending above the height ofthe seat section 220, one vertical left side front leg 208 a attached tothe side of the seat support member at the front or side of the chairand not extend above the height of the seat section 220; and one rightside horizontal armrest 224 b connecting the top of the leg with theside of the back support section, wherein the first chair section 140 aand the second chair section 140 b are positioned such that the rightside seat section of the first chair section 140 a and the left side ofthe second chair section 140 b are in contact and form a double seat.Preferably, the two chair sections 140 a and 140 b are releasablyattached by means of a clamp, hooks or screws.

Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does notdefine or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, andalterations are also possible without departing from the spirit andscope of this disclosure and the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A chair comprising: first and second seat supportmembers angled toward each other to form a “V” shape where the point ofthe “V” extends beyond the rear of the chair so as to come together atthe point of contact with the ground; a seat section attached to the topof the seat support members; a back section attached to the seat supportmembers to form an angle generally comfortable for sitting; and twovertical first and second front legs attached to each side of the seatsupport member at the front or side of the chair.
 2. A chair accordingto claim 1 further comprising at least one horizontal armrest connectingthe top of the leg with the side of the back support section.
 3. A chairaccording to claim 2 further comprising a first and a second horizontalarmrest connecting the top of each leg with the side of the back supportsection.
 4. A chair according to claim 3 further comprising first andsecond armrests extending beyond the front of the front legs.
 5. A chairaccording to claim 4 further comprising a back support post of at leastone member that attaches the back support members to the seat supportmembers at the point at which the seat support members come together. 6.A chair according to claim 5 wherein the seat section is comprised of aplurality of seat covering members extending between the outside edgesof the first and second seat support members.
 7. A chair according toclaim 6 wherein the seat covering members extend beyond the outsideedges of the first and second seat support members.
 8. A chair accordingto claim 7 wherein the first seat support member and second seat supportmember are formed with a contoured and beveled top so that the seatcovering members define a contoured surface.
 9. A chair according toclaim 8 wherein an additional crossbar support is attached to the innerfaces of seat support members providing additional sideways stability.10. A chair according to claim 4 further comprising a back support posttwo members that attaches the back support members at complimentarypositions proximal to said first and second arm rests to the seatsupport members at the point at which the seat support members cometogether.
 11. A chair according to claim 10 wherein the seat section iscomprised of a plurality of seat covering members extending between theoutside edges of the first and second seat support members.
 12. A chairaccording to claim 11 wherein the seat covering members extend beyondthe outside edges of the first and second seat support members.
 13. Achair according to claim 12 wherein the first seat support member andsecond seat support member are formed with a contoured and beveled topso that the seat covering members define a contoured surface.
 14. Achair according to claim 13 wherein an additional crossbar support isattached to the inner faces of seat support members providing additionalsideways stability.
 15. A loveseat comprising: a first chair sectioncomprising: first and second scat support members angled toward eachother to form a “V” shape where the point of the “V” extends beyond therear of the chair so as to come together at the point of contact withthe ground; a seat section attached to the top of the seat supportmembers; a back section attached to the seat support members to form anangle generally comfortable for sitting; one vertical left side frontleg attached to the side of the seat support member at the front or sideof the chair and extending above the height of the seat section; onevertical right side front leg attached to the side of the seat supportmember at the front or side of the chair and not extend above the heightof the seat section; and one left side horizontal armrest connecting thetop of the leg with the side of the back support section, and a secondchair section comprising: first and second seat support members angledtoward each other to form a “V” shape where the point of the “V” extendsbeyond the rear of the chair so as to come together at the point ofcontact with the ground; a seat section attached to the top of the seatsupport members; a back section attached to the seat support members toform an angle generally comfortable for sitting; one vertical right sidefront leg attached to the side of the seat support member at the frontor side of the chair and extending above the height of the seat section;one vertical left side front leg attached to the side of the seatsupport member at the front or side of the chair and not extend abovethe height of the seat section; and one right side horizontal armrestconnecting the top of the leg with the side of the back support section,wherein the first chair section and the second chair section arepositioned such that the right side seat section of the first chairsection and the left side of the second chair section are in contact andform a double seat.
 16. A loveseat according to claim 15 furthercomprising a releasable attachment between said the right side seatsection of the first chair section and the left side of the second chairsection.